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Limited use ecg electrode setRelated Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Electrical Energy Applicator, Applying Electrical Energy To The Heart Through Intact Skin (e.g., Defibrillator Paddle-type)Limited use ecg electrode set description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060142831, Limited use ecg electrode set. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to external defibrillators including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and more particularly relates to electrode sets, including electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes for use with defibrillators. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to single use ECG electrode sets and methods for packaging the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Defibrillators are devices for providing life-saving electrical shock therapy to persons experiencing an irregular heart beat, such as ventricular fibrillation. A defibrillator provides an electrical shock to the heart, in order to convert the irregular heart beat to a normal sinus rhythm. Various kinds of defibrillators exist. One type of defibrillator is surgically implanted in patients who are considered likely to need electrical shock therapy, precluding the necessity of constant monitoring by medical personnel. Another commonly used type of defibrillator is the external defibrillator, which sends electrical shock pulses to the patient's heart through external electrodes applied to the patient's chest. External defibrillators may be manually operated, as are typically used in hospitals by medical personnel or may be semi-automatic or fully automatic automated devices, where they can be used in any location where an unanticipated need may occur. An automated external defibrillator is commonly referred to as an AED. [0003] In a typical usage of an external defibrillator, the defibrillator electrodes are attached to the patient prior to delivery of a defibrillation shock. However, often the defibrillator can also be used to monitor the patient's physical condition and related parameters. Patient data can be measured and analyzed, and then a defibrillation decision can be determined based on that analysis. The defibrillator then charges to an appropriate level and applies the shock therapy in a desired format. One or more of these activities can be done by medical/emergency personnel, as in the case of manual defibrillators, or by automated defibrillators. While defibrillators of various designs have been known for several years, there is still room to improve their design. [0004] One example of a need for improvement relates to the defibrillator function of monitoring a patient's physical data. It sometimes happens that a defibrillator is brought to a patient where it is clear that defibrillation therapy may not be required. For example, an ambulance or other emergency responder will be summoned for a patient suffering from chest pains. It later turns out that the patient is not suffering from sudden cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary trauma. The patient's heart may be functioning. Another example may be a patient who suffers a minor heart attack but, when EMS arrives, the patient's heart is beating. With respect to these patients, and others, while defibrillation therapy may not be called for, it may still be desired to receive ECG data from the patient. In these kinds of situations, it would thus be desired to have a means of quickly receiving ECG data into a defibrillator. It would further be desired to obtain the patient ECG in a cost-effective method. [0005] The problem relates to the electrodes. Electrodes designed for use with a defibrillator are typically multifunction electrodes in that they are configured both to provide defibrillation therapy and to sense one or more physiologic and/or physical parameters of the patient. This is a typical configuration in an AED type device; it will be understood by those skilled in the art that electrodes may be designed differently for different machines. This kind of electrode can be expensive when used solely for ECG (or other data) purposes. One inherent problem is that a multifunction electrode is designed and manufactured with more functional capability (defibrillation and data transmission) than is being used. Multifunction electrodes are thus typically larger and more expensive than is needed for electrodes handling data transmission functions. It can be wasteful to repeatedly use and dispose of multifunction electrodes when only ECG-type electrodes are needed. It is also advantageous to design the electrodes in a packaged environment for a single use. Reusable, multifunction electrodes must be cleaned, prepared and properly stored after each use. [0006] Hence there exists a need for an improved defibrillator electrode set. It would be desired to provide an improved defibrillator electrode set that is easy to use and that presents an economic advantage over existing methods. Finally, it would be desired to provide a defibrillator set that, by virtue of the foregoing, offers an improved level of response and patient treatment. The present invention addresses one or more of these needs. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In one embodiment, and by way of example only, there is provided an electrode assembly for quickly providing patient information comprising: a plurality of limited use electrodes capable of being affixed to a human patient and also capable of receiving patient information from the patient; a plurality of cables wherein each cable is affixed to each electrode and wherein each cable is capable of transmitting patient information; a sealing wedge wherein each cable is molded in the sealing wedge; a connector affixed to each cable capable of being connected with a defibrillator and also capable of transmitting patient information to the defibrillator; a packaging defining an interior region and an exterior region; wherein each electrode is disposed within the interior region of the packaging; wherein the packaging is sealed; wherein the connector is in the exterior region of the packaging; and wherein the packaging is sealed around the sealing wedge. Patient information may include information such as electrical, acoustical, chemical, thermal, or optical data resulting in measurements such as ECG, respiration, transthoracic impedance, temperature, perfusion, and blood gas and chemistry related measurements such as oxygen saturation. Gel may be disposed on the electrodes and the packaging sealed so as to protect the gel from degradation. The seal may be a hermetic seal or a seal so as to protect the gel from degradation for the useful lifetime of the electrode assembly. The packaging may be sealed by heat sealing and/or glue. [0008] In a further embodiment, and still by way of example only, there is provided an electrode system for use with a defibrillator comprising: at least one electrode capable of being affixed to a human patient and also capable of receiving ECG information from the patient; a cable connected to the electrode capable of transmitting ECG information; a connector connected to the cable capable of a quick connection with a defibrillator and also capable of transmitting ECG information to the defibrillator; wherein the electrode is a limited use electrode; and wherein the electrode, cable, and connector are capable of being stored together for use with a defibrillator. The electrode system may include any number of electrodes (specifically including sets of two, three, five, and ten) and cables wherein each cable is connected to a single, common connector. The electrode may be a single use or disposable electrode. [0009] Other independent features, characteristics, and advantages of the limited use electrode set will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a limited use ECG electrode set according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a sealing wedge and cables sealed therein according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a sealing wedge with cables disposed therein positioned in a packaging opening according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an external defibrillator system connected to a patient in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. [0015] It has now been discovered that a set of ECG electrodes that are designed to have a single use or a limited use can be utilized with current defibrillator devices. The electrodes are preferably relatively inexpensive as compared to therapeutic or multifunction ECG/therapeutic electrodes. The electrodes are advantageously used when, for example, it is desired to monitor a patient's heart function without the need to provide therapeutic defibrillation. The single use ECG electrodes provide the needed patient information with a cost savings over ECG/therapeutic electrodes. The design and packaging of the electrode set also allows for their quick and efficient use. [0016] In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a limited-use ECG electrode pad, cable, and connector set. Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the limited use ECG electrode set. The set 10 comprises a connector 11, cable 12, and electrode 13. Preferably, the electrode 13, cable 12, and connector 11 are permanently or semi-permanently attached to one another. Cable 12 typically has two ends. In the preferred embodiment, one cable 12 is matched with one electrode 13. As is known in the art, cable 12 includes a transmission material in its interior (not shown) surrounded by an insulation material. [0017] Connector 11 is configured so that it may be plugged into a port or receptacle of a defibrillator. As is known in the art, connector 11 thus may have a shape that can be received by the defibrillator. Further, connector 11 may be designed so that it plugs into a multifunction port and/or data port of the defibrillator. Connector 11 may be fabricated of materials suitable for collection and transmission of patient data. [0018] In the typical attachment, electrode 13 is attached to cable 12 at one end of cable 12, and connector 11 is attached to cable 12 at the opposite end of cable 12. The form of attachment may be any kind known in the medical electrode art including, but not limited to, soldering, crimping, adhesive, and mechanical (screw) attachment. Also, as is known in the art, the attachment is such that patient information, particularly ECG information, may be transmitted through electrode 13, through cable 12, through connector 11, and into a defibrillator (or ECG monitor). [0019] In this embodiment, the electrodes are connected to the cable and/or a connector set. The set is designed for single use. Additionally the set is connected to a defibrillator, through the connector, when intended for use. Continue reading about Limited use ecg electrode set... Full patent description for Limited use ecg electrode set Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Limited use ecg electrode set patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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